Straight line wire stripper



Sept 1 1964 E. D. HINDENBURG ETAL 3,146,645

STRAIGHT LINE WIRE STRIPFER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 7, 1961 INVENTORS M65/vf a. #Waff/6026 BY 7404/4: f. Areni/14451 @fr 5 fir/fl" Sept l, 1964 E. D. HINDENBURG ETAL 3,146,645

STRAIGHT LINE WIRE STRIPPER Filed Aug. 7, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept 1 1964 E. D. HlNDENBURG ETAL 3,146,645

STRAIGHT LINE WIRE STRIPPER Filed Aug. '7, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent O 3,146,645 STRAIGHT LINE WIRE STRIPPER Eugene D. Hindenburg and Thomas E. Trethewey, Sycamore, Iii., assignors t Ideal Industries, Inc., Sycamore, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Fiied Aug. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 129,623 3 Claims. (Cl. 819.5)

This invention relates Ito wire strippers and in particular to a manually operated Wire stripper which is in general alignment with the wire to be stripped.

A primary purpose of the present invention is a Wire stripper of the type described having a plier-like action which can be operated with a one hand squeeze motion.

Another purpose is an improved and positively operating Wire stripper of the type described.

Another purpose is a wire stripper of the type described which can be used at relatively inaccessible locations.

Another purpose is a wire stripper which has means for preventing bending of the Wire after stripping.

Another purpose is a wire stripper which places n tension on the wire being stripped.

Other purposes will appear in the ensuing speciiication, drawings, and claims.

The invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of our wire stripper in the open position,

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view, with portions cut away, showing the stripper in a position to begin stripping the wire,

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view, with portions cut away, showing the stripper after the wire has been stripped,

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged section along plane 4-4 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 5 is a top plan View, similar to FIGURE 1, showing a modiiied form of stripper,

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view, similar to FIGURE 2, showing the modified stripper of FIGURE 5 in a position to begin stripping the wire,

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view, similar to FIGURE 3, showing the modified stripper of FIGURE 5 after the wire has been stripped,

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view, similar to FIGURES l and 5, showing a further form of stripper,

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of yet a further form of Wire stripper in the open position, and

FIGURE 10 is a bottom View of the stripper shown in FIGURE 9 in the closed position.

In FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, handles 10 and 12 may each have yokes 14 and 16, respectively, which extend on both sides of the gripper pad and blade structure. Each of the yokes may be pivoted, as at 18 and 20, respectively, to pivotal arms 22 and 24, which extend generally in the direction of the handles. The ends of the arms 22 and 24 spaced from the pivot point 26, or the far left side of the arms, as shown in the drawings, mount gripping pads 28. The gripping pads may be slightly arcuate and with serrations as shown in FIGURES l-3, or they may be smooth and arcuate. They may also be iiat as the invention is not limited to any particular form of gripper pad.

Mounted within the housing defined by the gripping pad arms 22 and 24 are a pair of pivotal arms 30 and 32 which may be pivotally connected together, at 34, and extend generally along the direction of the wire to be stripped. Mounted at the head end of the arms 30 and 32 are a pair of stripper blades 36, which may be suitably grooved or scalloped to cut the insulation on a wire held between the gripper pads 28. The details of the blades are not important to the invention. FIGURE 4 illustrates one arrangement of stripper blade in which there are three dilerent size cutting formations indicated ICC at 36a, 36h and 35C. Each of the cutting formations is for a different size wire. This is only one possible arrangement of cutter blades and it may be desirable to have only one cutting arrangement for a single blade and to then have interchangeable blades. A wire stop 33 may be provided so that each wire will have the proper length of uncovered wire at its end. In other words, the wire is inserted within the stripper until it hits or contacts the wire stop 38. In this way all wires will have the same and proper length of insulation removed. In some applications, it may be desirable to have the wire stop adjustable.

In order to move the stripper blades in a direction along the wire to be stripped, we may provide a pair of pivotal links 38 and 40 which are each pivoted to a handle and to one of the stripper blade arms. We may form recesses 42 and 44, respectively, in each of the stripper blade arms for the mounting of a spring 46. The spring may take many forms, and as shown in FIG- URES l, 2 vand 3, the spring is a coiled spring which seats in the recesses 42 and 46, and normally biases the stripper blades, gripper pads and handles toward the open position. It may be desirable to add additional springs, indicated at 45 to further bias the handles in an outward direction. The springs 45 may be wound around suitable pins within the handle structure and bias the handles in a direction away from the links 38.

We may pivot a latch member 4S on either one or both of the arms 3d or 32 generally toward the rear. As shown in FIGURES 1-3, there are two latch members 48, each mounted on an arm 30' or 32 and each biased toward each other by means of a small coil spring 49. The operation of these latches will be described in detail hereinafter.

In operating the stripper shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 3, a wire is first suitably positioned within the open stripper. Movement of the handles toward each other causes the pad arms to pivot about pivot point 26 and the stripper blade arms to pivot about pivot point 34. When the handles have been moved to the position of FIGURE 2, the pads will firmly hold the insulated wire and the stripper blades 36 will have cut through the insulation.

After the handles are in the position of FIGURE 2, further squeezing of the handles together results in longitudinal movement of the arms 30 and 32 and, hence, movement of the stripper blades in a direction along the wire to be stripped. Note that in FIGURE 2, the blades are generaly adjacent to the pads, whereas, in FIGURE 3, the blades have moved away from the pads. It is the movement along the wire that strips the insulation.

The iinal driving action which moves the stripper blades along the wire is supplied by the links 38 and 40. Movement of the handles together to the nal position of FIGURE 3 is effective to move the outer ends of the links toward each other and to thereby drive the stripper blade arms alongthe `direction of the wire and toward the handles.

When the unit is in the fully closed position of FIGURE 3, note that the latch members 48 have dropped down between the gripper pad arms 22 and 24 and abut the pin forming pivot point 26. They are urged to this position by the springs 49. The blades cannot return in a direction along the wire until the pads have moved away from the wire. In other words, when opening the handles, the blades cannot bend the wire as it will be released from the pads before the blades move. The blades will not move until the handles have opened a suflicient distance to allow the latches 48 to clear pin 26.

The tool shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 may include a pair of handles Sil and 52, each pivotally mounted to arms 54 and 55, respectively. The forward end of each of the arms 54 and 56 may mount a gripper pad 5S which may be any suitable shape and as shown herein is somewhat ilat. The arms 54 and 56 may have a common pivot point 60, about which the arms rock or move in a scissor-like action.

Mounted within the housing defined by the arms 54 and 56 are a pair of stripper blade arms 62 and 64, generally similar to the arms shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 3, and having a common pivot point 66. The arms 62 and 64 each have a rearward extension, 7@ and 72, which is pivotally connected to a link 74 and 76. The links in turn are pivotally connected to the arms 50 and 52, and are eliective to drive or move the stripper blade arms in a direction generally parallel to the wire to be stripped, as was described before.

The operation of the unit shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 is substantially similar to that described in connection with the earlier form. We may position a suitable spring or other yielding means 77 which normally biases or urges the handles, blades and pads to the open position of FIGURE 5. The major difference between the two forms is that in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, the handles 5G and 52 do not have yokes that cross and connect to the gripper pad arms adjacent the forward end. Instead, the handles have portions which are pivotally connected, as at 59 and 61, to the rear end of the gripper pad arms.

FIGURE 8 shows yet a further form of wire stripper which is generally similar to the other forms, but varies in detail. Handles Sti and S2 are each pivotally mounted to arms 84 and $6, respectively. The arms in turn may each mount a gripper pad 8S. Mounted within the housing formed by the arms 84 and 86 are a pair of pivotal arms 90 and 92 each mounting stripper blades 94. The arms 90 and 92 may be pivoted together, as at 96, and the arms 84 and S6 may be pivoted together, as at 98. As was true of the other forms, the arms have a scissor-like action and move in an arcuate path about their respective pivot points. We may position a spring 100 between the rear portions of the arms 99 and 92 t0 urge the arms and handles to an open position. Links 162 and 104 may be pivotally connected to the handles 80 and 82 and to the arms 90 and 92, to drive the arms and blades along the wire.

FIGURES 9 and l0 illustrate yet a further form of in-line or straight line wire stripper in which pivotal handles 110 and i12 are urged to an outward or open position by means of a spring IM positioned between the handles and having portions M6 and 118 which are in contact with the outer ends of the handles. The opposite end of each of the handles il() and 112 may mount a suitable gripper pad l2@ which may have a slightly arcuate face 122. In this form of the invention the gripper pads are actually itegral with and movable with the pivotal handles lit? and M2. The ends of each of the handles 110 and M2 adjacent the head end or gripping pad each have a small somewhat angular slot l24 and 126. A pin 128 may extend through these two slots and forms a slideable and pivotal connection between the handles. The pin 128 is rigidly fastened to a base plate 130 on the back of the handles, shown in detail in FIGURE l0.

Mounted within the general outline of the handles are a pair of stripper blade arms I3?. and i314 which are pivoted together at 136, and each mount a suitable stripper blade 140. The stripper blade may take any form and may be as described before.

rl`he end of each of the stripper blade arms away from the blades themselves may mount pins 142 and 144, respectively, which are slideable in somewhat angular slots 146 and 148 in the handles Il@ and M2. The operation of this pin and slot arrangement will be described hereinafter.

The plate 130 mounted on the back of the handles lit) and M2 may be connected to either one of the handles by the pin 128. A spring 156 may be connected to the plate 13), as at lSZ, and may connect to the pivotal connection 136 at its opposite end, as at E54. The spring 56 will normally urge the pivot point 136 of the stripper blade arms in a direction toward the blades or toward an open position. Beneath the spring is a slot 156 which is positioned in a direction generally parallel to the wire to be stripped and within which is mounted a pin I54. The pin 15d will move along the slot 156 as the stripper blades are being pulled along the wire and stripping it.

In operating the device of FGURES 9 and l0, the wire to be stripped is irst inserted between the gripper pads or jaws and may be positioned against a suitable wire stop, if one is provided. As the handles and M2 close, the gripper pads will grip the wire to be stripped. The stripper blades will simultaneously move into contact with the wire. As the gripper pads are a part of the handles, they will come together as the handles do. Movement of the handles together will move the pins 142 and 144 in an arc toward the centerline of the stripper to move the stripper blades toward the wire. After the blades and pads are in contact with the wire, further movement of the handles together will move the pins 142 and 144 longitudinally in the slots 146 and M8, in a direction away from the blades, to thereby pull the blades along the wire and remove the insulation. As the blades move along the wire, the, pin i154 will slide in the slot 156 against the action of the spring 156.

The use, operation and function of the invention are as follows:

We provide a new and improved hand-operated wire stripper. The tool handles, which may take any size or shape, extend in general alignment with the wire to be stripped and may be operated by a one hand squeeze. Like a normal wire cutter or pliers, the head is small and may be used in dirlicult locations. The precise linkage used to operate the gripper pads and the stripper blades may vary considerably. What is important is to provide complete operation by manipulation of the handles.

When the handles are iirst brought together, the pads will grip the wire to be stripped and the blades will cut through the insulation at the point desired. Continued movement of the handles toward each other and toward a position where they are almost parallel with the wire to be stripped will move the stripper blades along the wire such that the insulation is pulled off.

All forms of the stripper operate substantially the same way and have the two-step action described above. The initial movement of the handles together pivots both the pads and the blades about their respective pivot points to the wire stripping position. Continued movement of the handles together moves the stripper blade arms and the blades in a direction parallel to the wire and toward the handles. This action is caused by the links which are pivoted to both the handles and to the stripper blade arms or by the pin and slot arrangement of FIGURES 9 and l0. Preferably, a spring or other yielding means is used to normally urge the handles, blades and gripper pads to an open position.

The tool shown can be used for any size of wire, cable or connector, which is normally stripped by a hand tool. In this connection, the blades and pads may be interchangeable depending upon the size of wire to be stripped.

An additional feature of the invention is the latches 48 which may be used to prevent bending of the wire after it is stripped. Although the latches are only shown on the form in FIGURES l, 2 and 3, they may be used on any one or all of the tools shown. The latches prevent movement of the blades along the wire until the pads have moved in their arcuate path away from the wire to release it.

Whereas the preferred form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it should be realized that there are many modications, substitutions and alterations thereto, within the scope of the following claims.

*www e We claim:

1. An in-line wire stripper adapted to be oriented in general alignment with the Wire to be stripped including a pair of movable gripper pads, a pair of pivotal arms, one for mounting each of said pads, said arms having a common pivot point spaced from said gripper pads, a pair of pivotal handles extending in the same general direction as the wire to be stripped, one of said handles being pivotally connected to each of said arms, said handles being effective to move said arms and pads to a closed Wire gripping position, a pair of movable stripper blades, a pair of movable stripper blade arms, one for mounting each blade, a link pivotally connected between each handle and a stripper blade arm, said handles being effective to move said arms and blades to a closed wire stripping position and then to move said blades along said wire, in a direction generally in alignment with the handles, to strip the Wire and a latch member pivotal on a stripper blade arm, a spring biasing said latch member toward said gripper arm pivot point, said latch member being in latching contact with said gripper arm pivot point when the stripper is in the closed Wire stripping References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,151,319 Wood Aug. 24, 1915 2,842,992 Hindenburg July 15, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 780,257 France Jan. 29, 1935 619,302 Germany Sept. 27, 1935 890,075 Germany Sept. 17, 1953 1,059,064 Germany June 11, 1959 1,102,842 Germany Mar. 23, 1961 

1. AN IN-LINE WIRE STRIPPER ADAPTED TO BE ORIENTED IN GENERAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE WIRE TO BE STRIPPED INCLUDING A PAIR OF MOVABLE GRIPPER PADS, A PAIR OF PIVOTAL ARMS, ONE FOR MOUNTING EACH OF SAID PADS, SAID ARMS HAVING A COMMON PIVOT POINT SPACED FROM SAID GRIPPER PADS, A PAIR OF PIVOTAL HANDLES EXTENDING IN THE SAME GENERAL DIRECTION AS THE WIRE TO BE STRIPPED, ONE OF SAID HANDLES BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID ARMS, SAID HANDLES BEING EFFECTIVE TO MOVE SAID ARMS AND PADS TO A CLOSED WIRE GRIPPING POSITION, A PAIR OF MOVABLE STRIPPER BLADES, A PAIR OF MOVABLE STRIPPER BLADE ARMS, ONE FOR MOUNTING EACH BLADE, A LINK PIVOTALLY CONNECTED BETWEEN EACH HANDLE AND A STRIPPER BLADE ARM, SAID HANDLES BEING EFFECTIVE TO MOVE SAID ARMS AND BLADES TO A CLOSED WIRE STRIPPING POSITION AND THEN TO MOVE SAID BLADES ALONG SAID WIRE, IN A DIRECTION GENERALLY IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE HANDLES, TO STRIP THE WIRE AND A LATCH MEMBER PIVOTAL ON A STRIPPER BLADE ARM, A SPRING BIASING SAID LATCH MEMBER TOWARD SAID GRIPPER ARM PIVOT POINT, SAID LATCH MEMBER BEING IN LATCHING CONTACT WITH SAID GRIPPER ARM PIVOT POINT WHEN THE STRIPPER IS IN THE CLOSED WIRE STRIPPING POSITION, SAID LATCH MEMBER PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF SAID STRIPPER BLADE ARMS ALONG THE WIRE, AFTER STRIPPING, UNTIL THE GRIPPER PADS HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM THE WIRE. 